TWC Donates $1.6M to NYC Media Lab

Time Warner Cable has pledged to contribute a total of $1.6 million to the NYC Media Lab as part of a broader partnership with a group that was launched in 2010 by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), NYU Polytechnic Institute (NYU-Poly) and Columbia University to conduct research on emerging broadband trends.

TWC has pitched in more than half the total donation, and will deliver the remaining funds through 2020. In addition, Time Warner Cable’s Research Program on Digital Communications will fund NYU-Poly’s broadband Internet research through NYC Media Lab.

The MSO said it will likewise support Professor Justin Cappos’ research at NYC-Poly to study the potential effects that certain emerging trends might have on consumer bandwidth consumption. Areas of study will include femtocells, peer-to-peer systems, and machine-to-machine technologies.

“Time Warner Cable’s $1.6 million contribution to NYC Media Lab recognizes the importance of connecting academia with industry leaders and thinkers to spur further growth of a vibrant technology community in New York,” said TWC chairman and CEO Glenn Britt, in a statement. “Our partnership demonstrates the value of working closely with academic institutions undertaking research which will benefit and change the future of technology, and the ways in which we work and live. Time Warner Cable is excited to partner with NYC Media Lab and NYU-Poly on a project that can influence how we think about the future of Internet usage and growth.”

“NYC Media Lab is an important tool to ensure the future growth of New York City’s media industry, providing companies looking to advance new media technologies the opportunity to collaborate and innovate with local academic institutions,” said Deputy Mayor Robert K. Steel, in a release. “Private partners are critical to the success of initiatives such as these, and this collaboration is sure to allow the media sector to prosper in the City for decades to come.”